Opinions Wanted on MDF Mouldings

[ajhohen]

A salesman from a company dropped by a couple of days ago, introducing me to a line of mouldings called “MDF” picture frame mouldings”. I was amazed. He had a short stick with him. It cut like wood, it assembled like wood (v-nailer, thumbnailer, etc), it used regular wood glue (not “super glue”), he said the lengths are straight, not warped, and remain straight, and it is available in over 100 shapes with the choice of over 25 finishes. The finish IS a type of “wallpaper”, with a finish to prevent fading or discoloring and to protect. The type of fiber the paper is mounted on is similar to “masonite”, except not as hard. He said it was a little bit heavier than oak, but much, much more durable than plastic mouldings, and is “satisfaction guaranteed”. The price per foot is shocking! As little as 60 cents a foot for a 7/8 x 3 ½ inch moulding and 16 cents a foot for a ¾ x 1 ¼” moulding!! The “oak” finish feels and looks like oak…same results with the cherry, mahogany, walnut, etc., etc.. I don’t stock plastic mouldings because of the extreme low quality and bad comments my customers say to me about them. BUT this IS something I would like to stock footage of as an advantage over “art and craft” retailers that do sell the plastic junk as an alternative when people are looking for something less expensive. I was told the “Williamson Company” sells a few.

Now the questions: MDF, I was told, has been around a few years..have any of you ever stocked it or are currently stocking it? What do you think of the weight, compared to oak or any type of hardwood? Did you ever have any problems with chop and/or assembly? What are your good/bad comments about it? If you don’t know anything about this moulding, or never heard of it, but “may” be interested, I will be glad to keep you posted on information about the name of the best retailer offering the mouldings at the best prices…if I decide to stock a few of these “low cost” mouldings. Thanks for any info. ajh


[This message has been edited by ajhohen (edited 01-06-2000).]

[ajhohen]

Has ANYONE ever heard of "MDF" mouldings????

[MerpsMom]

We're just slow. I have some but haven't sold any yet. Lord-love-a-duck, they're heavy. However, seems to be a pleasant alternative when dealing with a price point.

[Jon Ostrander]

I have lots of MDF in my shop. It is what I built my tables and racks out of. Have not heard of MDF molding though, but want to hear a lot more about it. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Jon

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When you look back it's better to regret what you did, than what you didn't do.

[Scarfinger]

MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard
I use MDF in my home woodworking shop to make studies for furniture before I build it. It comes in 4 x 8 sheets in many thicknesses. I also buy it as primed mouldings for baseboards and trim and find it far easier to work and paint than real wood. One reason it is good for trim and baseboard is it is flexible and easy to follow an unstraight wall. This flexibility is what makes me wonder if it is suitable as a picture frame moulding. I found the plastic mouldings were too flexible for anything but small frames.
Scarfinger

[Marc Lzier]

Framica has a line of the stuff for that is for sale usually by the box only.
#s like BW82079 BW885079 or BW66054

Yes is does cut and join like wood.
But in look it is comparabale to an 'Mica' type product. The finish is a paper that has the desired 'look'. Kinda like shelf paper.

The reason they finally figured to use it for mldg is bacause they realised they need to have the wrap go almost totally around the whole profile. Instead of just the top. If they do only the top then the glue and sawdust sucks up moisture (that's bad). With a full wrap it is more sealed from the elements.

It does not have a tendency to warp on it's own, but in a long stick it is a little spagetti like (low on body).

It does have a dense feel and is heavy. Customers feel they are getting a 'frame' becasue of the weight.

Sure carry it as a low end mldg, but if that's not your bag then you probally will hold on to the stuff for a while. And who needs dead stock?

[MerpsMom]

Delta has a line called Earthwood, I believe, and it's MDF or its cousin. As Marc says, it does resemble many of the Framemica products.

[Lance E]

One question for those who use it, what is the strength of the joins like? I would have thought that it would be considerably weaker.

[po' framer]

I've not used MDF mouldings, although I plan to. I'm familiar enough with MDF, and as said earlier, it's used for workbench tops in our shop.

My guess (and it's a guess only) about the strength of joins would be that the joint would be good enough, and the area most subject to stress failure would be most likely next to the joined spots.

MDF can have a compressive failure; in non-engineering words that would mean that chunks fly off when you bonk it. Of course, only a bonk will do that; a biff or zowie couldn't possibly.

I was looking at polystyrene mouldings earlier today and admiring their prices. Am I correct in assuming that they don't have enough "heft" to seem woodlike?

[woody]

MerpsMom. Lord-love-a-duck? Haven't heard that expression in many years. Are you sure you don't have a Brit lurking somewhere in your past? When Williamsen introduced their MDF line a year or two back they made a chop available at no charge (at least my rep did). I ordered one and made up a frame. Joint was strong, the "wood" was rigid, no problems at all, except the finish seem to scrap off easily as I recall. Williamsen sold it only in box quantity and I though the designs were a bit our of the mainstream.

[po' framer]

woody, thanks! I forgot to comment on that "lord lovaduck" saying myself, but it caught my attention as well, MM! heheheheh

[Terry Ellis]

Here in the land of Oz we use 2mm MDF as backing for all non conservation framing (By far the bigest % of all jobs) & have done for years. The building trade has been using it for skirtings and architraves for ages too, as it needs no filling and paints up really well.
So the question is , if so many of you are unfamiliar with it , what do you use for low end , non conservation backs?

Terry

[Mel]

In a word: Foamcore (another of those words beginning .... oh, never mind).

[MerpsMom]

You guys keep this up, you're going to eventually run into trouble. (Anyone ever see "A Christmas Story"? http://www.thegrumble.com/framer/ubbs/smile.gif But actually Terry seems to keep bringing up stuff like "skirtings", etc.; heaven only knows how an architrave fits in.

Oops: forgot why I was here. My only minor concern about joining/gluing MDF is whether it's so dense that the glue doesn't adequately sink into the "pores" of the grain for a good bond. Probably a nit worry.


[This message has been edited by MerpsMom (edited 01-07-2000).]

[Terry Ellis]

MerpsMom & Mel
Pleeeaaase, you to do me a great injustice and I feel deeply hurt. I was trying to ask a serious question here. I just thought skirts needed raising - boy is that an old one. (Just in case there are any language problems here, skirtings are timber mouldings that go between the floor and walls, and archetraves go around windows and doors)
Now in all seriosity - what your saying is that fffoamcore is your buget backing. Here usually a cheap print is just glued to the MDF. Foamcore or acid free fc for photos, LE prints etc.as it is fairly expensive
I told you we were 20 years behind

Terry

PS Please note, NO gratuitous "F" words

[MerpsMom]

I knew it: I just KNEW it. Give you guys a little wiggle room and you go all the w.....never mind.

[Terry Ellis]

At last an invitation I can't refuse. Just point me to this wiggle room.

Do I have to bring my own flocking and feathers?

In eager anticipation, Terry

[Mel]

Laughting out loud all over the place! Bless you all, I needed that (have an onerous letter to write when I'd done here).

Now, about that "A" word....thanks for clearing that up, Terry. I had no idea and am too weak with laughter to get down the unabridged dictonary.

[Bruce McElhaney]

I use some MDF oval frames from, In Line Ovals Co. They're faily strong, but where they shine is in stability--no warping or twisting. Obviously thery're pre-assembled. The finish must be laid on and built up on MDF as there is no inherent wood grain or color. I like In Line Oval's gold and silver metals and darker laquer style finishes, however the faux wood finishes can look a bit plastic.

Bruce Mc

[P. Christensen]

I also use In Line Ovals MDF frames. I like them for the things that they can do with them. They are quite heavy for the size, though, and I am thinking that if you use the MDF moulding you wouldn't want to make anything too big with it. It might bend. I remember one frame I did when the plastics first came out that was too big for the frame. It bowed up, down, in, and out. I like wood the best, even though it is more expensive. That picture is going to be hanging for a long time. Don't you think it is usually worth it in the long run to go with better quality?